A recent article posted in education week was spot on regarding making teachers value added scores public information. I agree that taxpayers, principals and other school administrators have a right to know how teachers are performing.
I also full heartedly believe that there has to be more to the publication then just one data point to paint a clear picture of how teachers are performing. Value added scores only provide one measure. A comprehensive evaluation system should include classroom observations, student surveys, team teaching, and a myriad of measures of student growth.
Publishing the data means that we, as educators, have to do a better job of informing our public when it come s to evaluation criteria and data. In doing so, we can better use the information to improve the teaching and learning process for all.
“What’s In a Name? More Than a Single Data Point” by Aimee Rogstad Guidera in Education Week, Aug. 8, 2012 (Vol. 31, #37, p. 18), http://www.edweek.org
